Number of Cooling Towers, Water Supply Facilities, Public Bath Water, and Fountains in Large Buildings
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Hamyang-gun, Gyeongnam announced on the 16th that it will conduct water system facility inspections for the prevention of Legionellosis in multi-use facilities such as elderly care facilities, swimming pools, Sangnim Transport, and Deogyu Education Center, as water usage increases during the summer season.
Legionellosis occurs when Legionella bacteria present in water sources such as cooling tower water of large buildings, water supply facilities, public bathhouse water, and fountains are inhaled into the respiratory tract through aerosols.
When Legionella pneumonia occurs, non-specific symptoms such as headache, muscle pain, high fever, and chills appear along with symptoms such as dry cough, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
To prevent Legionellosis in summer, thorough environmental management is required, including regular cleaning, disinfection, and management of water temperature and residual disinfectant concentration in environments where Legionella bacteria can easily proliferate, such as cooling tower water, air conditioners, and showerheads.
The director of Hamyang-gun Public Health Center said, “Anyone can be infected with Legionellosis, and especially high-risk groups with weakened immunity such as chronic lung disease patients, diabetes patients, hypertension patients, and smokers may die in severe cases,” and urged, “Please strive for prevention by consuming foods good for immunity, exercising appropriately, and maintaining a clean environment.”
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